Drug interactions
Metaproterenol + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Metaproterenol and Salmeterol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both are beta-agonists, so combined use adds tachycardia, tremor, hypokalemia and arrhythmia risk. This matters most in patients with heart disease or those using high doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metaproterenol and Salmeterol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation.
What to do
Avoid routine concurrent use of multiple beta-agonists and monitor heart rate and potassium if both are required. Limit short-acting agent use to rescue needs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metaproterenol with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metaproterenol and Salmeterol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both are beta-agonists, so combined use adds tachycardia, tremor, hypokalemia and arrhythmia risk. This matters most in patients with heart disease or those using high doses.
How serious is the interaction between Metaproterenol and Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid routine concurrent use of multiple beta-agonists and monitor heart rate and potassium if both are required. Limit short-acting agent use to rescue needs.
What other medicines interact with Salmeterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salmeterol with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Amitriptyline. The full list is on the Salmeterol page.
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